Cliff Richard Case: Police Receive New Information
By Vikram Dodd
Police investigating a claim of sexual abuse by Sir Cliff Richard on Friday said new people had come forward with information after media coverage of a raid by detectives on the home of the entertainer. Richard's property in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was searched on Thursday by detectives investigating a single claim of the sexual abuse of a boy aged under 16 at an evangelical rally held by Billy Graham in Sheffield in 1985 at which the singer performed. The search is mired in controversy because the BBC had journalists, who apparently knew the raid was going to take place, waiting for the police outside. South Yorkshire police on Friday said they had worked with the BBC ahead of the raid, but denied being the source of the leak. "When a media outlet contacted SYP with information about an investigation, we took the decision to work with them in order to protect the integrity of that investigation," South Yorkshire police said in a statement. "Since the search took place a number of people have contacted the police to provide information and we must acknowledge that the media played a part in that, for which we are grateful." They gave no detail of what kind of information had been provided, or how useful it was to their investigation. The force added: "South Yorkshire police was not the original source of information … South Yorkshire police does not know the source of the information." Thames Valley – who helped South Yorkshire police officers carry out the search – also denied being the source of the leak. Thames Valley police said: "Thames Valley police did not speak to any media outlets prior to the warrant being executed in Sunningdale, Berkshire, yesterday. This is a South Yorkshire police investigation and local officers from Thames Valley police assisted South Yorkshire officers in their search of the property." While South Yorkshire police would have alerted the Thames Valley force that they wished to carry out an operation in their area, it is unclear if any other criminal justice organisation would have had prior knowledge. Richard is believed to be in Portugal and police said they wanted to speak to the owner of the property they searched, but would not say whether that was as a suspect or a witness or in another capacity. Police raided Richard's home over allegations of a sexual assault at a rally held by the US evangelical preacher Billy Graham nearly 30 years ago. Richard said on Thursday that he had been aware of rumours circulating on the internet for some time, but that the allegation was "completely false". The police raid, he added, was "without notice, except, it would appear, to the press". On Friday, the Conservative MP and former deputy speaker of the Commons Nigel Evans, who was cleared of sex offences by a jury after a trial this year, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that "questions have got to be answered" over Richard's claims that the press were notified about the search. "It appears the press knew what was happening before he did and the world's media were camped outside his doorstep. A press helicopter was up before the police even arrived – he is quite right to be angry about that. Questions have got to be answered. "I believe in the vast majority of cases [suspects] should have anonymity. We have to recognise the impact this has on people. People have 0% of the facts and 100% of the opinions. It's quite wrong for people to pre-judge." Detectives from South Yorkshire were on Friday believed to be processing items seized from the luxury flat during the five-hour search. The 73-year-old veteran of British entertainment announced his Christian faith at a Billy Graham event in London in 1966 and has done extensive charity work. He was a special guest at Graham's rally in Sheffield on 28 June 1985, where he performed before a crowd of thousands. The event programme described Richard as Britain's "leading Christian ambassador". In his statement Thursday, Richard said: "It goes without saying that I will cooperate fully should the police wish to speak to me." Born as Harry Webb in Lucknow, India, in 1940, he has become one of the most enduring stars of his time, with hits including Devil Woman and Living Doll. He was knighted in 1995, the first rock star to be so honoured, and performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012. Graham staged a series of rallies in Sheffield across eight nights with people invited to walk on to the pitch and make a public vow to follow Jesus. The pastor, who held Christian events around the world attracting large crowds, was a friend and counsellor to former US presidents Richard Nixon, George Bush Sr and George W Bush. Graham, dubbed "America's pastor", has been friends with Richard for decades.
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